How difference does price make?

[RobDar]

the equipment joke post started me thinking...

how much difference does price really make? ( my wife is the ultimate cheap skate when it comes to equip...I am not...we argue. LOL!)

Personally...

I think it depends on what kind of fishing you do...and what your chosen equipment is.

as an example...

1. I think tourny fishers benefit from the durability of some of the more expense equip.

2. I think price effects baitcasters quite considerably...although I have fished with a $150 baitcaster and a $300 baitcaster and not only preferred the $150 but also did not notice any appreciable differences other than weight.

3. I do not personally notice much difference between a mid priced rod and a more expensive one...but do notice a difference between a $70 rod and a $10 rod.

4. I do not notice much difference in open faced reels other than reliability. My wife $30 reel works just a good as my $100 open face...when it is new...but she has replaced hers since I bought mine.

5. boats are a whole 'nother story. I personally think there are ALOT of guys out there with MUCH more boat than they actually need. There is this kind of status thing...the whole my boat is better than yours. Our Tourney director talked for weeks and weeks about his new $50,000 Triton ( and everyone had to know how much it cost)...seems silly to pay that much for a boat to me. As the old guy in our circut always says...

"the fish don't know the difference between a Tracker and a Triton...they just know tasty!"

( the old man fishes from a beat up old 1980's era Ranger and usually wins)

[roadwarrior]

Oh, there are significant differences my friend, but I say it mostly boils down to the "fun factor."

Better equipment is more fun (for me) to fish and cruising around in a $50,000 Triton is more thrilling than a $10,000 Tracker.

[Triton21]

I agree RW.  You have seen my Triton and the smile it puts on my face.  

Kelley

[Avalonjohn44]

I personally think there are ALOT of guys out there with MUCH more boat than they actually need.

Who determines what somebody 'needs'?

Really, none of us 'needs' to fish. We are not starving.

Really, none of us 'needs' a boat'.

Really, none of us 'needs' a rod, reel and lures.

When somebody starts dictating 'needs' it starts to get scary. We are free to do what we want with the money we make. It starts looking at best like a 'sour grapes' type thing that somebody has a better boat/equipment/etc, or at worst like a form of mini communism where everybody only gets a $2000 aluminum jon boat with a 5 hp motor because somebody decided that is all we really 'need'.

I'd rather choose where and how my money and enjoyment are spent.

Sorry - I don't want to pull this into a political thing, I hate politics, but there are two threads of a similar nature with different folks weighing in on how my hard earned cash should be put to use...

/end rant

[Guest the_muddy_man]

blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth 8-)

[kayl.]

blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth 8-)

Wiser words were never spoken

[RobDar]

Wow...some sensitive reactions here. Didn't mean to offend anyone.

First...there is no such thing as a $10,000 Tracker. ( not new anyway)

Second...Hey if you can afford it and that is what you want...more power to ya! I did not say I think it is wrong...but I do giggle when these same guys complain about putting gas in their 200 horse...or fish electric only lakes...or mostly fish lakes with speed limits...or ( well you get the point)

I just could never do it...especialy when you consider I cant fish year round where I am. I did not pay that for my first house! LOL!

I guess I am just one of those guys who look at the $30,000 boat and the $50,000 boat and immediately ask myself...is there $20,000 difference here?

Can I have as much fun in the $30,000 as the $50,000.

Usually the more expensive version has gidgets and gadgets and they just do not impress me much.

NOW...IF THERE IS A GOOD REASON for the expense...like the Triton Magnum Series Aluminum boat in comparison to some of the others...

The Magnum Series is more expensive...but there is value behind that expense. It is built differently and has some major hull improvements over most mod-v's...so that is money well spent.

[roadwarrior]

I agree RW. You have seen my Triton and the smile it puts on my face.

Kelley

Your boat put a smile on my face, too!

[senile1]

I personally think there are ALOT of guys out there with MUCH more boat than they actually need.

Who determines what somebody 'needs'?  

Really, none of us 'needs' to fish.  We are not starving.

Really, none of us 'needs' a boat'.  

Really, none of us 'needs' a rod, reel and lures.

When somebody starts dictating 'needs' it starts to get scary.  We are free to do what we want with the money we make.  It starts looking at best like a 'sour grapes' type thing that somebody has a better boat/equipment/etc, or at worst like a form of mini communism where everybody only gets a $2000 aluminum jon boat with a 5 hp motor because somebody decided that is all we really 'need'.  

I'd rather choose where and how my money and enjoyment are spent.

Sorry - I don't want to pull this into a political thing, I hate politics, but there are two threads of a similar nature with different folks weighing in on how my hard earned cash should be put to use...

/end rant

I understand your rant, but I don't think DELee36 is trying to dictate our needs or preferences.  He's just making interesting conversation.  As for "sour grapes," some of us can afford more expensive boats and equipment but we don't buy them because we have different priorities.  When I retire I want to fish whenever and whereever I want with good equipment.  I'll forego the very expensive stuff now, so I can put money away for when that time arrives.  Now, there is the possibility of dying before I get to enjoy this ideal retirement I have in mind, but that's a chance I'll take.  If this were to happen, then I know the money saved would go to those I love, which is still a higher priority than having the most expensive boat in town.  

[WBFishing]

I agree.  I started fishing tournaments this year and my gear was really REALLY low priced. I had 1 Quantum combo that was over $40 and that is the only one I caught fish with.  Starting out fishing with cheap gear, when I upgraded mt gear just to medium priced stuff, I was as excited as all get out.  I could actually feel, fight a fish and no drag slip, I could swing on fish with my spinning and didn't see bubbles anymore from the bass laughing at me.  Maybe one day I can afford to spend over $50 on a combo, but with an 18 month old and a 1 month old, it will not be soon.  If the $19 to $50 upgrade was that big of a difference, then I want to try just once $50 to $200 upgrade.

I guess my summary is in my situation the difference in price led to a difference in quality.  I like to think that is the case most times, unless they are selling you a high price piece of garabage to start with.

[George Welcome]

We should all spend what the pocketbook allows and not worry about other opinions.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

FISHIN FOR ME IS FUN, thats it period the end. If some people feel all better about themselves by showing off equipment , thats good for them. If some guys can afford and really enjoy teir toys,thats good for them. If some guys use lower end stuff and have fun thats good for them WHY ARE WE SPENDING SO MUCH TIME AND EFFORT TALKING ABOUT STUFF ANYWAY???????

JUST GIVES THE GUYS WHO THINK THEIR STUFF ALLOWS THEM TO FEEL BETTER THAN EVERYONE ELSE A PLAT FORM ANY  WAY

NOW WHERE'S MY STUFF IM GOIN FISHIN

[Long Mike]

When I want to show off, I take my clients on a cruise aboard my 150' yacht.  When I want to go fishing, I use my inflatable.

[Cigarlover 1]

We should all spend what the pocketbook allows and not worry about other opinions.

Ditto. I think it was senile who said in another post that the best tool use to catch fish is between your ears.  

I've got a buddy I fish with that caught a 10lber on a spincast set up. The most important thing is nowing how to fish. Not what you're fishing with.

[Guest avid]

You should never try to count other people's money.

A guy can have an expensive bass boat because he wanted it really badly and so took out a 5 year loan.

Doesn't make him rich.

Another guy can be fishing with an ugly stick.  He's actually a millionaire but hates the thought of breaking a rod.

So it's not all about what you can afford.  It's also about your values, desires and priorities.

I love to fish with high end rods and reels, they add enormously to my enjoyment.                        

But I fish out of a canoe.

I can buy a new Daiwa Steez rod for what many guys will spend on gas this month.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...............

[Cravin]

I don't fault anyone for what they spend on there toys. I like a medium priced setup which rarely exceeds $250 and it feels like a $500 setup to me.

What I spend is a lot if you ask some of my fair weather fishing friends, but thats what makes me happy. If someone has a $50,000 boat and need someone to fish out the back count me in! I can't afford a boat in that price range but I know These guys get as much enjoyment showing it and taking someone fishing who appreciates a nice boat as much as they do!....come on, who doesn't like riding in a Cadillac!

The only thing that could ruin it is hearing about how much it was the whole time. My experience with guys who have boats this nice are usually enjoying it and feeling privileged to own one. It never feels like there saying look at me! They don't have too cause we are.

My father's uncle was very well off with lake property, a high dollar speed boat and golf cart to get to the dock. It seemed it was just our family going over to his place. It wasn't because he wanted to show off, He just wanted someone around that enjoyed and appreciated what he loved to do. I wonder who had the better time.

I don't know if I'll ever get one like that but there are a lot of things in life I want but cant afford. One day when the kids grow up a little and things line out I may be that guy, until then hats off to you guys that get the toys you want and don't forget to take me fishing!!!!!

[senile1]

Cigarlover stated:

Ditto. I think it was senile who said in another post that the best tool use to catch fish is between your ears.  Wink

Good statement.  But I can't take credit for something I didn't say.  Somebody else said this . . . . . or I'm too senile to remember saying it.  

[Catt]

Let me see if I can explain this so some y'all will understand my intent, pictured below is a Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 5000 with a Heddon Mark Special Purpose #6277 5 ½' Medium Heavy Action. The handle section of this rod is cast aluminum and the gold color portion I'm not sure of but the entire set up is some where around 1 ½ to 2 pounds.

This was my goto setup during 1972 when I started tournament fishing on Toledo Bend, now imagine tournaments back then weren't for sissies like today. We fished 12 to 14 hours a day using setups like this to throw Spinner Baits, Hot Spots, & Texas Rigged Yum Yum Worms. At the end of the day your fingers hurt, your wrist hurt, your elbows hurt, and your shoulders hurt. So when Shimano came along with a reel that weighed ounces and Fenwick came along with High Modulus Graphite rods I quickly jumped on the band wagon.

As for boats I started out with a 15' 6 Hustler Stick Steer with a 70 HP Evinrude with a Hummingbird Super 60 Flasher and an Evinrude trolling motor that may have had 18 lbs of thrust.

So you see it aint about money it's about comfort and enjoyment

[senile1]

Different priorities.  No one is right or wrong.  I do believe in purchasing a level of equipment that isn't cheap in order to obtain acceptable quality, which really gives my answer to the original question for this thread.  I just don't buy the most expensive.  (Yet . . . . or maybe never.)    

[Guest avid]

When I want to show off, I take my clients on a cruise aboard my 150' yacht. When I want to go fishing, I use my inflatable.

Hey Mike,

I may require your services, but I'm not sure if your impressive enough to satisfy my needs.

Have your people call my people.

I'm shopping for for some new topsiders as we speak.

Ta Ta  

[Turtle.]

Re: How difference does price make?

IMHO,None

When i first started bass fishing some 30+ years ago,I was taught to fish a rubber worm.I recevied a cheap combo and a pack of worns stuffed in my pocket.For the first few years this is all I had,caught hundreds of bass and had a blast doing it.Sure miss those times,things were alot simpler back then.But times they do change.I have upgraded to mid price stuff over the years.(nothing high end)dont feel the need nor can i afford it.I knock no one for what they spend or what they have.Basicly you do what you can do.I do think its sad that some need a 50,000.00 boat and 400.00 to 600.00 rod and reels to have fun fishing,not knocking it,just dont understand it.But to each his own.Give me a stick and some mono and I will catch fish and have a blast doing it.   JMHO

[frogtog]

I'am going to spend every cent I have before I retire. Then I can draw $960 SS

each month and eat cheese. If I die tomorrow my wife can have a nice yard

sale. I can look back when I get old and say ( Dam It Was Fun ).

[Baconstrip]

I think with bass fishing, as with most things, there are diminishing returns to the money you spend.  A $70 dollar rod is probably 7X better than a $10 dollar rod, if not more when you consider the $10 dollar rod will last you only a few trips.  But is a $300 dollar rod twice as good as a $150 dollar one?  Maybe not.  Will a $20 dollar Megabass spinnerbait catch 10X as much fish as a $2 dollar strike king spinnerbait in a given length of time....no.  It's all diminishing returns.  The key is to find the best value in the bunch.  For me, the best value is around $150-200 for baitcast reels and rods.  Revo STX or Curado Ds are extremely nice reels that will last you forever with proper care.  Is a Diawa STeeZ worth 3 times that?  I didn't think so, but hey...some people have money to burn.  

[Long Mike]

Avid, thanks ahfully for your response. It's quite nice of you ectually!  Naturally having my people contact your people is "der rigour" and I wouldn't have it any other way.  

Incidentally, my people may tell your people that the cruises on the yacht tend to be rather short, because the yacht is located on a 200 acre lake.  Also, the yacht sorta looks like a pontoon bridge;  but if you squint your eyes and use your imagination ...  

[Red]

i dont know how much difference price makes cuz i never have owned any high end stuff....my ambassadeur to me is high end..it was like 80 dollars!!  it is my favorite reel and it sits on a 20 dollar berkley rod....rods to me are the thing that holds my reel..as long as it isnt noodly i like it....i will stick to my cheap stuff...has always cought me fish in the past

Cliff